Michael Phelps to return to competitive swimming

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Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps to return to competitive swimming

Michael Phelps

MESA, Ariz. — Michael Phelps will return to competitive swimming after nearly two years in retirement, according to USA TODAY.

The 22-time Olympic medalist will compete in the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Ariz., April 24-26, according to reports.

Phelps, 28, is starting a comeback that he hopes will lead to a fifth Olympics in 2016.

Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman, said last month that Phelps was in shape and would enter a meet soon.

“We both have no expectations to be honest,” Bowman said. “We’ll just see what happens. We have no idea how it will go. It’ll probably go OK. It’ll be good just to be back in a competitive environment, test it out and have some fun racing.”

Bowman said Phelps plans to swim in the 100-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly in the April 24 preliminaries.